Canada: Court Says Ban on Doctor-Assisted Suicide Is Unconstitutional

A British Columbia Supreme Court judge ruled Thursday that Canadian laws banning doctor-assisted suicide are unconstitutional. Justice Lynn Smith declared the laws invalid, but also suspended her ruling for one year to give Canada’s federal Parliament time to draft legislation with her ruling in mind. She said the laws were discriminatory for those who were grievously ill or physically disabled who wanted to have some control over their circumstances at the end of their lives. Canada’s federal government is expected to appeal the decision, and the case is likely to go to the Canadian Supreme Court.